Oroville fourth-grader Judd Hallen emerged as the winner of the Butte County “I Voted” sticker contest, a competition aimed at encouraging civic engagement among youth. On November 26, 2025, Judd visited the Butte County Hall of Records with his mother under the pretense of picking up passport applications, only to discover the surprise announcement of his victory.
As they arrived, Butte County Clerk-Recorder Keaton Denlay greeted them and revealed, “You must be Judd.” Initially confused, Judd learned he was the winner of the contest after being led to Denlay’s office. “I didn’t know why he said my name,” Judd recalled. “Then he told me that I won the competition, and I was really excited.”
Competition Details and Artwork
The Butte County Clerk-Recorder’s office announced Judd’s win after reviewing an impressive total of 164 artwork submissions from students ranging from kindergarten to 12th grade. Judd, a student at CORE Butte Charter School, was the youngest finalist among six chosen, with the other finalists hailing from seventh, eighth, and 12th grades.
His winning design features a bear biting down on the phrase “I voted,” framed in the patriotic colors of red, white, and blue. Judd chose to incorporate a bear as a nod to the California state flag, making his artwork both locally relevant and visually striking.
Impact and Future Use of the Design
As a result of his victory, Judd’s sticker design will be distributed during the 2026-27 election cycle, with tens of thousands of voters in Butte County expected to receive his stickers when they cast their ballots. Judd expressed his enthusiasm about the impact of his artwork, stating, “I think that’ll be awesome.”
This contest not only highlights the creativity of young artists in Butte County but also serves as a reminder of the importance of participation in the democratic process. Judd’s achievement is a testament to the potential of youth to influence and engage in civic activities, encouraging others to follow in his footsteps.
